Paula Fleisher attends a Jewish synagogue in Burbank, California. In 1985 a congregation of over 2000 were assembled for Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year). It was a hot, sweltering day. The service was over 2 hour sold when Rabbi William Kramer stood to speak. He was a superb rabbi and the congregation looked forward each week to hearing what he had to say. And on this special day many had gathered.
As he stood to speak a baby started crying...loudly. It was hot, the service had been going for some time, and people were understandably a little cranky. "Why doesn't that woman just get her baby out of here so we can all hear the rabbi!" steamed Paula inwardly.
It was then that Rabbi Kramer spoke these words: "Isn't this a miracle? How wonderful it is to have this new person among us. How lucky we are as a congregation and a people, that this baby's parents have chosen to raise their child in our religion. Mazel Tov to the parents and to everyone here who will enjoy this Jewish child as he or she grows with us."
Paula reports that in that instant the attitude of almost everyone present was changed, that they now heard the baby's cried very differently. And it was a reminder to her to be more patient and welcoming of others.
Source: reported in Heroic Stories, #286: 11 March 2002
Applications: children, church, welcome, acceptance, community